The Woven | Messiah’s Birth | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

The prophecy is fulfilled when Jesus is received, as He comes to save His people from their sins. Who are His people? First, it’s clear that He came for the Jewish people, but His mission extends to all of humanity. We are all His people. Jesus was born among us all, but His arrival was first for Israel.

The Genesis of the Messiah

This is how the birth of Yeshua, the Messiah—Jesus, the Anointed One—came to be. In Greek, the word for “birth” here is “genesis,” meaning origin. His mother, Mary (or Miriam in Hebrew), was pledged to be married to Joseph. In Hebrew culture, engagement was unique; it included a formal ceremony called the betrothal, where the couple was considered married but did not consummate the marriage until about a year later during the wedding celebration.

During the betrothal period, Joseph pledged himself to Mary, and Mary pledged herself to Joseph. After the betrothal ceremony, Joseph would leave to prepare a home for Mary, which could take up to a year. Then, a grand wedding celebration would follow in their town of Nazareth.

The Significance of Betrothal in Hebrew Culture

Interestingly, in Greek, the term for “betrothed” can mean “souvenir” or “token.” This reflects the Hebrew tradition where the groom gives a pledge or token of the upcoming marriage. Joseph, a carpenter and a righteous man, prepared himself for this sacred union. Mary, a young maiden or “Alma” (virgin), grew up in a protected and godly household. Both Hebrew words for virgin, “Alma” and “Betula,” are linked to being veiled or hidden, symbolizing her purity and dedication to God.

Mary’s daily life involved drawing water from the well, which still exists today in Nazareth, and worshiping at the synagogue on the Sabbath. She treasured God’s word deeply in her heart, as evidenced by her faithful response to the angel’s announcement. Joseph, too, was a devout and righteous man, committed to following God’s law and living a life that pleased Him.

The Marriage and Its Sacred Customs

Marriages in Hebrew culture were often arranged, requiring family agreement and the bride’s consent. Mary, like Rebecca in the story of Isaac, had the choice to say “yes” to Joseph. Upon agreement, a bridal gift, or “mohar,” was exchanged, and they shared a ceremonial cup of wine as a symbol of their covenant. Joseph would pledge, “Be my wife according to the laws of Moses and of God,” and Mary would accept.

Though considered husband and wife, they would not consummate their marriage until the grand wedding celebration, known as the “Hatuna.” This event featured a joyful procession led by Joseph and his friends to Mary’s home. Mary, with her maidens, would await the arrival of the groom. Together, they would be lifted in a canopy chair and carried to their new home, where a seven-day celebration would take place, culminating in the union’s consummation.

The Divine Intervention

However, before the marriage could be consummated, something extraordinary occurred. Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. The Greek word “ahi,” meaning “before they cohabited,” highlights that this miraculous event happened before Mary and Joseph lived together as husband and wife.

This revelation would have been a great scandal in their community, but it marked the beginning of a divine plan. The Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit, entered the world not through human will but by God’s miraculous intervention.

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